Quick-break switch



R. K. MASON.

QUICK BREAK SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2, 1920.

Patented June 20,1922.

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QUICK BREA-K SWITCH.

APPLICATION HLED JUNE 2, 1920.

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QUICK BREAK SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED mm: 2. 1920.

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Patented June 20, 1922.

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J0" J7 M UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE.

RALPH K. MASON, OF BANTAM, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 LANCASTER, OF LITCHFIEL-D, CONNECTICUT.

JOHN H.

QUICK-BREAK SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented June 20, 1922.

Application filed June 2, 1920. Serial No. 386,125.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RALPHK. MASON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bantam, in the county of Litchfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Quick-Break Switches; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable Others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in switches of numerous types and more particularly tothose of quick break nature in which a spring is employed for quickly opening the switch. Springopened switches with means for holding the same closed, have heretofore been used, but my invention aims to improve on them by providing a single handle for closing the switch when moved in one direction and for releasing the switch-holding latch by opposite movement, to allow the switch-opening spring to act. I The arrangement is such as to prevent any possi bility of slowly opening the switch, this being accomplished by permitting the handle to move idly a considerable distance toward switch-open position before tripping the latch which holds the switch closed. It is thus insured that the handle will be substantially in switch-open position before the moving switch means are again operatively engaged with said handle, and thus it is an impossibility to impede the opening of the switch by slowly moving the handle to switch-open-position. By my arrangement it is-further insured that the switch cannot be left only partly closed since when the operators hand releases the handle the switch will assume and remain in either an entirely. on or off position.

A further object is to provide a switch of enclosed and truly safety nature, in which a door for giving access to internal parts, is locked by moving the handle to switch closed position and released by the spring means which opens the switch.

Yet another object is to provide improvements of the above defined nature which may be applied equally well to switches of numerous types such as line switches, motor starting switches, etc., whether of single or gouble break nature or of enclosed or open IYP VVith the foregoing and minor objects in view, the invention resides in the novel combination, arrangement and construction of sition, permitting opening of the refusing door.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section cut substantially on the plane of line 4-4, of Fig. 1 showing the switch closed.

Fig. 5 isa vertical section on the plane indicated by line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view as indicated by line 6-6 of Fig. 5, showing the switch open.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view on the plane designed by line 77 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a disassembled perspective view of several of the switch operating parts and the adjacent casing structure.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation partly in section, illustrating my improvements applied to an'enclosed knife switch.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on line 10-10 of F ig.-3 with parts in elevation.

Fig. 11 is a view out approximately on line 1111 of Fig. 10, showing the switch open.

Fig. .12 is substantially a duplicate of Fig. 9, but showing the switch in open position to illustrate more clearly the relation of switch operating parts then existing.

Fig. 13 is a horizontal section on approximately the line 13-13 of Fig. '10.

Figs. 14, 15 and 16 are side elevations partly in section showing the apphcatlon' of my improvements to an enclosed motorstarting switch, said views illustrating respectively the relations of parts when the switch is entirely opened, in motor-starting position, and in running position.

Fig. 17 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 17-17 of Fig. 14.

In carrying'out all forms of my invention, I employ spring-opened switch means, a handle movable to one position for closing the switch against the tension of its opening means, and a latch for holding the switch closed, said latch being releasable by idle movement of the handle toward switch-open position. This idle movement of-the handle may be allowed by any preferred means such as those hereinafter described; the switch-opening spring and the latch may be of any adequate design and may act on practically any parts having movement when the switch operates, and the means for releasing the latch from the handle may vary as occasion may dictate. I prefer however, that the latch shall be provided with a releasing portion extending into close proximity with the handle and 7 that the latter be provided with a part adapted to strike and release said latch at the proper time. This arrangement in actual practice has proven to be of great advantage but other relations of parts might well be used if found desirable.

In the following. I have described the application of my improvements to several forms of switches and I have entered specifically into certain details of construction which may be used. I wish to again state however, that these details need not necessarily be followed and that the improved features may be adapted to switches of types other than those shown.

Figs. 1 to 8 illustrate an enclosed, double break, safety switch constructed in accord ance with my invention, .all switch parts being housed within a cabinet 1 having a door 2 and a false front 3 provided with an opening 4. Fixed and movable bases 5 and 6 respectively are mounted in the cabinet 1 behind the false front 3, said fixed base carrying spaced contacts 7 while the movable base is provided with other contacts 8 connected by fusible means 9 One end of the movable base 6 is mounted on pivoted links 10 while its other end is connected to crank arms 11 on a rock-shaft 12 having an appropriate operating handle 13. I

One of the links 10 is provided with a fiat lug 14 operating in a key-hole slot 15 in a link 16' which is. pivoted to the door 2.

Then the switch is closed, the lu 14 is received transversely in the enlarge end of slot 15 and thus said door is locked as seen in Fig. 4, but when the switch is opened by the spring means yet to be described. said lug is positioned for reception in the narrow elongated part of the slot so that the door may be opened. (See vFigs. 3 and 6.)

The parts so far brieflydescribedform casing of the switch is preferably of two sections detachably connected by the means and for the purposes revealed inmy U. S.

application Serial No. 386,126, filed June.

As above indicated, I employ spring means held under tension while the switch is closed for quickly opening said switch when its holding latch is released, and although such spring means may vary both in construction and location, I have shown a coiled torsional spring 17 mounted on the rock-shaft 12 with one end 18 acting against the casing 1 and its other end 19 coacting with one of the arms 11 in such manner as to rapidly open the switch when the tension of the spring is released.

The form of the latch and its location may vary in numerous ways but for illustrative purposes I have shown a substantially straight spring arm 20 having one end secured to the casing at 21 while its other end 22 extends through a slot in said casing to a point adjacent the inner end of the handle 13. Spring 20 coacts with a stop shoulder 23 which moves on an arcuate path when the shaft 12 rotates, and although the shoulder may be carried by-any suitable part. I have shown the same formed on the inner end of one of the arms 11 and on a disc 2-1 carried by the shaft. The end 22 of the latch 20 projects beyond the shoulder 23 andI have shown a cam 13 on the inner end of handle 13, adapted to strike said latch and release it from said shoulder, when the handle has been moved a considerable distance toward switch-open position. v

A positive connection between handle 13 and shaft 12 when closing the switch. and idle return movement of said handle toward switch'open position, may be permitted by any adequate means for allowing the necessary lost motion. In the present disclosure however, I have shown the handle provided with a pin 25 which extends inwardly through a slot 26 in the casing and is operable between spaoed shoulders 27 on the disc 24. This disc may be connected with the 0f the shaft 12. A short shaft extension 12 is secured to shaft 12 by a screw or the like 12 and prevents outward shifting of the disc 24 and the adjacent arm! 11, and the handle 13 is provided with a hub 13 rotatable on said shaft extension, being held thereon by a suitable washer 30 on the screw 12". i

The operation of the switch so far described is as follows. To close the switch, handle, 13 is moved rearwardly, thus causing the pin 25 to thrust against one of the shoulders 27, turning the disc 24 and the rock-shaft 12 so that the crank arms 11 movethe base 6 to the position of Fig. 4, in which position the contacts 8 are engaged with the contacts 7 to which the line and load' wires are connected. As the switch is thus closed, spring 17 is placed under tension, and when the complete closed position is reached, latch 20 engages the shoulder 23 and holds the switch closed as shown clearly in Figs. 1, 2 and 7. The spring 17 will open the switch if the handle is released before latch 17 comes into play and thus there is no possibility of leaving the switch with the contacts only partly engaged.

To open the switch, the handle is pulled forwardly, and during this movement, the pin 25 moves idly away from the stop 27 previously engaged thereby, the handle in the meantime turning freely with respect to the shaft 12. When the handle has moved a considerable distance toward switch-open position, its cam 13 strikes the end 22 of latch 20 and releases such latch from the shoulder 23, whereupon spring 17 immediately comes into play to rapidly open the switch. There is no possible manner in which the switch may be slowly opened and thus caused to arc, since theopening move- 'ment is in no way under'the control of the operator after such movement starts. The spring 17 rapidly loses its tension-as it opens the switch and thus the moving switch parts are not caused to strike the casing an excessive blow, as in the case with springs of other types which mightbe used.

It will be observed that manual closing i of the switch turns the door locking lug 14 to locking position and thus prevents-opening of the door 2 while the fuse 9 and associated parts are in circuit. The latch 20 acts to hold the switch parts and consequently this door locking means is in efi'ective position as long as the switch is closed, but when said latch is released and the spring 17 acts, said spring releases the locking means of the door in addition to opening the switch.

Figs. 9 to 12 disclose the application of my improvement to an ordinary enclosed switch-closed position.

knife switch and the essential features are approximately the same as above described. In these v1ews,numer al 35 designates spaced contacts and 36 refers to pivoted switch blades connected by a; link 37 with a crank 38 on a rock-shaft 39 similar to the rock-shaft 12. This shaftis provided carry a cross-head 43 connected with a slotted link 44 to lock the door 45 of the enclosing casing 46.

The lost motion connection between the handle 40 and the shaft 39 differs slightly from that above described, as does also the latch mechanism. I have shown a plate 47 secured on shaft 39 and shouldered at 48 to coact with a pin 49 on the handle 40 to close the switch, and'the plate 47 is equipped with a shoulder 50 coacting with a resilient latch-arm 42. This arm is shown approximately U-shape, with one end secured to the casing while its other end extends to a point at which it may be engaged by a releasing cam. 51 formed on the inner end of the handle 40.

To .close this form of switch, the handle is moved rearwardly to the position seen in Fig. 9, the shoulder 48 andpin 49 then coacting in the manner indicated in Fig. 11, to establish a positive connection between said handle and the shaft 38, with the result that the switch blades 36 are'closed. While this closing is taking place, the spring 41 is being placed under tension and the head 42 is being moved to operative position, and when complete closing of the switch has occurred, the shoulder 50 engages the latch 42 and thus all parts are held in switch-closed position.

As in the construction above described, slow opening of the switch cannot be effected, but idle movement of the handle 40 toward switch-open position, causes the cam ever, which is actuated by a rock-shaft 56,.

carries a non-fusible switch means 57 and fusible switch means 58 for successive engagement with contacts 59 on a fixed base.

Shaft 38 may also ing to arrest movement of the handle when the switch, has been set in starting position, that is with the non-fusible switch bar 57 engaged with the contacts 59 as in Fig. 15. \Vhen the stop 61 is released after proper starting of the motor, the handle 60 may be moved further'to the rear to disengage the bar 57 from the contacts 59 and engage the fusible means 58 therewith, thus setting the switch in running position as seen in Fig. 16.

A suitable spring 63 acts on an appropriate switch moving part for opening the switch and a latch 64 is employed to hold the switch closed against the tension of said spring, said latch being here shown as acting on a shoulder 65 carried by a plate 66 which is suitably mounted for movement with the shaft 56. Latch 64 is positioned to be struck by a cam 67 on the handle 60 so that said'la'tch is released by idle movement of the handle toward switch-opened position. This idle movement of the handle preferably takes place until after the movable stop 61 has passed the fixed stop62, but not necessarily so, since these stops are so shaped as to cause the one to ride freely over the other during movement of the handle toward the position at which it opens the switch. As soon as the handle releases the latch 64, the spring 63 acts to open the switch and also to release the locking means of the cabinet door, if such locking means be employed.

In all forms, my invention is simple-and comparatively inexpensive, yet it is highly efficient, reliable and in every way desirable.

In all types of construction, movement of the handle in one direction, positively closes the switch and locks the same closed against the tension of suitable spring means. Move ment of the handle in the other direction to aconsiderable extent, releases the switchholding means and thus causes the spring means to quickly open the switch without arcing. In no instance, is it possible for the operator to slowly open the switch andthus endanger the interengaging parts thereof by subjecting them to arcs, since after the switch parts start on their opening movement, they are in noway under the control of the operator and must continue quickly to the end of their opening movement.

Excellent results may be obtained from the several details shown and described, but within the scope of the invention as claimed, numerous other arrangements and constructions may be employed. Furthermore, the specific details shown in connection with the several forms of switches, are not usable only with their respective forms, but with others if found desirable.

I claim:

1. An enclosed switch comprising a casing, aspring-opened switch member therein,

a handle pivoted on the exterior of the casing and connected with said switch member for closing the switch against the action of its'opening spring, and a latch in said casing for holding the switch in closed position, 70 said latch having a tripping portion extending to the exterior of the casing adjacent the pivoted end of the handle, said handle having idle movement toward switch-off position when the switch is closed and being adapted when so moved to strike said tripping portion of the latch to release the latter and permit the switch to open under the action of its opening spring.

2. An enclosed switch comprising a casing. a movable switch member in said casing, a rock-shaft extending across said casing and connected with said switch member, a spring exerting a stress on said shaft to turn the same to switch-off position. a pivoted handle on the exterior of the casing axially connected with said rock-shaft and having lost motion with respect thereto, a latch mounted in the casing and having a tripping portion extending to the exterior thereof adjacent the inner end of the handle. said rock shaft having means cooperable with said latch to hold the switch in on position, said handle having a cam adapted upon idle movement of the handle toward switch-off position, to strike said tripping portion of the latch and release the latter.

3. An enclosed switch comprising a casing.

a movable switch member. in said casing, a rock-shaft extending across said casing and connected with said switch member, a spring exerting a stress on said shaft to turn the same to switch-off position. a handle on the exterior of the casing loosely mounted on said rock-shaft, a lost motion connection between said handle and shaft, a plate secured on said shaft within the casing, said plate having a shoulder, and a latch arm mounted in said casing and co-operative with said shoulder to hold the rock-shaft in switch on position, said latcharm extending at one end to' the exterior of the casing adjacent the inner end of the handle. said handle having a cam adapted upon idlemovement of said handle toward switch-off position, to strike 1 5 said extended end of said latch arm and release the latter.

4. A switch comprising switch means, a rock-shaft connected with said switch means,

a handle loose upon said shaft. a plate se- 12 thereto, said plate having a pair of shoulders spaced apart on an arcuate line concentric with the shaft, a projection on the handle cooperable with said shoulders, and spring means for effecting switch moving turning of said shaft independently of said handle.

6. In a switch, movable switch parts and a rock-shaft connected operatively therewith, a spring for moving the switch parts to open position, a disc non-rotatably mounted on one end of said rock shaft and a latch coacting with said disc to hold the switch closed,

a shaft extension secured to said shaft end and preventing removal of said disc. a handle mounted on said shaft extension and having means for releasing said latch, and means for operatively connecting said handle and disc and for allowing lost motion between them.

7. A switch comprising a cabinet having a door, switch means in said cabinet, a lock for said door, switch actuating means having a single handle for closing said switch means and moving said lock to active position, an independent latch coacting with said actuating means for holding the switch means closed and the lock applied, and spring means for opening the switch and releasing the look When said latch is released.

8. A switch comprising a cabinet having a door, locking means for said door. switch means in the cabinet, a single rock-shaft for operating the door lock and the switch means, spring means acting on said rockshaft for releasing the lock and opening the switch. a latch for holding said shaft in switch-closed position, and a handle for moving said shaft to switch-closed position and for releasing said latch when moved toward switch-open position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

RALPH K. MASON. 

